Patient materials for data opt-out system being sent to pharmacies

Patient materials for data opt-out system being sent to pharmacies

As PSNC reported in April 2018, NHS Digital has developed a national data opt-out system and now community pharmacy teams are being sent a pack of materials to help inform patients of the new system.

The opt-out system, available since 25th May 2018, gives patients the opportunity to make an informed choice about whether they want their personal identifiable information to be used for research and planning purposes. However, it will not, apply to or affect the necessary use of data for the patient’s individual care and treatment. All health and organisations will be required to uphold patient choices by March 2020.

The pack for pharmacies, due to arrive by the end of July, will include a number of posters and handouts to give information to patients. Contractors can order a limited number of additional copies of the NHS poster at no cost using the Department of Health and Social Care Publications order line at www.orderline.dh.gov.uk (using that link, select ‘Your Data Matters to the NHS’ from the campaign box on the right). Pharmacy teams are advised to use the materials provided and signpost patients that ask about their data choices to the patient-facing website nhs.uk/yournhsdatamatters or call NHS Digital on 0300 303 5678.

The F-Code or ODS code is the the unique code issued to your pharmacy which identifies you to NHS Prescription Services. You can find this on any pricing authority statement or your prescription submission document (FP34c).